Crisis

If an emergency arises (think: suicidal crisis with a plan and the ability to carry out that plan) and you are in danger and/or you need immediate assistance, Philadelphia Mobile Crisis is available at 988. They will send trained mental health crisis professionals (usually a clinician, someone with lived experience of mental health struggles, and a nurse) to your home/physical location to assess you and plan next steps; their goal is to avoid a 302. Alternately, Merakey Mental Health Walk-In Clinic is located at 3128 N. Broad Street; I’ve heard good things. You may also call 911, but know that police officers will respond to your crisis call, and that this may create an added element of danger if you identify as queer and/or BIPOC.

If you are my client and are admitted to a hospital, please let me know at your earliest convenience so we can schedule appropriate follow-up care.

If you are in crisis but not in danger and you are my client, you may reach out to me with the understanding that I may not see your message and may not respond promptly. Here are some additional options for who to reach out to: 

    • The 988 Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) can be reached by dialing 988 24 hours a day. They also have text and chat functionality on their website. Your call will be routed to a call center local to where you are.
    • For assistance via text, you can reach out to Crisis Text Line by texting HELLO to 741741. CTL is available 24 hours a day but may have extended wait times.
    • Trans Lifeline is available at 877.565.8860. Trans Lifeline is available to callers who identify as trans or questioning; the hotline is run by trans peers. Note: The hotline is not currently available 24/7.
    • The Trevor Project can be reached at 866.488.7386, or you can text START to 678678. They are available 24/7. They also have chat functionality on their website. The Trevor Project serves young people who identify as LGBTQ+.
    • If you’d like to talk to a peer, warmline.org contains links to warmlines in every state.

Another option that may be of interest is The Ferns Peer-Run Respite in Pottstown. Folks who are in distress are welcome to spend up to a week at The Ferns. Guests get a private room, can come and go as they please, and the home is staffed by trained mental health peers 24/7.

NOTE: Many of these resources could utilize restrictive interventions, like active rescues (wellness or welfare checks) involving law enforcement or emergency services. Trans Lifeline does not use geolocation and will not call emergency services without your express consent. A warmline is also less likely to call for well checks, but still might have these policies in place. You can ask if this is a possibility at any point in your conversation if this is a concern for you.